Thin film resistive memory material stacks including at least one of a high work function metal oxide at an interface of a first electrode and a thin film memory material, and a low work function rare earth metal at an interface of a second electrode and the thin film memory material. The high work function metal oxide provides a good Schottky barrier height relative to memory material for high on/off current ratio. Compatibility of the metal oxide with switching oxide reduces cycling loss of oxygen/vacancies for improved memory device durability. The low work function rare earth metal provides high oxygen solubility to enhance vacancy creation within the memory material in as-deposited state for low forming voltage requirements while providing an ohmic contact to the resistive memory material.